Prison Minister and author Marty Angelo explains why he thinks Paris Hilton got off too easy.
Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) July 9, 2007 - In a recent interview, prison minister and author Marty Angelo made some very interesting observations regarding socialite Paris Hilton's Los Angeles County Jail incarceration, her interview with CNN's talk show host Larry King, and her post release behavior.
Angelo reached out to Paris Hilton during the turmoil created when L.A. County Judge Michael Sauer ordered the wealthy heiress back to jail after being released on house arrest. Angelo petitioned Judge Sauer to let him serve out Hilton's sentence so she could receive proper psychological, physical, and spiritual treatment elsewhere. The judge ignored Angelo's plea. Read Letter to Judge Sauer
When asked why he offered to serve Hilton's remaining jail time Angelo stated, "I felt that sending Paris Hilton back to jail would be way 'too easy'. If the state prison system is not working, what makes society think the county jail system is any better? It has no rehabilitative services at all to offer inmates. Therefore, society has to just be content with its' very expensive 'pound of flesh' punishment mentality."
Angelo feels the public incorrectly 'thinks' prisons and jails change criminals. "The latest 2007 statistics reveal over 82% of inmates released from the California prison system are re-arrested and return to prison within the first 12 months. It is even worse on the county jail level, and the California Youth Authority's recidivism rate is a mind-boggling 91%," continued Angelo.
"All incarceration really does is 'warehouse' people. Society sits back and does not realize most prison inmates are eventually released and will quickly revert to their old ways and repeatedly re-enter the criminal justice system. See "Reentry: The Nation Reacts"
During Paris Hilton's interview with Larry King after her release from the Los Angeles County's women's jail in Lynwood, Hilton stated she learned while incarcerated that the typical woman prisoner released from there returns at least '7.3 more times because they have nowhere to live.' Read Complete Interview Transcript Here
"Miss Hilton should study that statistic more closely," Angelo continued. "It is not 'just', because the women do not have a place to live upon release. Most female 'and' male ex-prisoners 'willingly', 'ignorantly', and 'quickly' go back into a life of substance abuse, partying, and breaking the law."
One day after Hilton informed Larry King that she 'never' used drugs or 'had a drinking problem', TheSmokingGun.com website posted various video clips of her proving otherwise. View clips here.
"Paris Hilton would have learned in 'a proper residential treatment facility' instead of just sitting in a jail cell, that the first hurdle in recovery and starting 'a new beginning' is to overcome 'denial', by first admitting you have a problem. In Christian terminology it is, 'admitting you are a sinner in desperate need of a Savior'.
"God brings people in and out of jail everyday. He is there to help you if you let Him. However, attending a Biblically based 'qualified residential treatment program' with professional staff is much harder. It is more rewarding, worthwhile, and a long lasting alternative. You have to truly work on yourself in a residential program, with experienced guidance. There is no hiding alone in a single jail cell just wasting time drawing pictures, eating banana nut muffins, and feeling sorry for yourself.
"Once Paris Hilton was released from county jail she should have immediately checked herself into a long-term residential program such as Teen Challenge, the Walter Hoving Home, Dunklin Memorial Camp's Refuge Ranch Women's Program, or Victory Outreach. Especially because she stated in her Larry King interview that she 'felt', God has given her 'a new beginning'.
"Hilton still has to learn how her own sinful nature got her in jail in the first place. Then she needs time to allow God to change her from the inside so she will never return to jail or back to a sin-riddled lifestyle. This is not something that just happens overnight or is completed in a 22-day county jail sentence. It is an on-going daily transformation process with a lifelong commitment."
Instead of continuing in her 'new beginning' after her release from jail, Miss Hilton flew off to Hawaii for a vacation, rendezvousing with one of her 'old' boyfriends. She then attended a party on Malibu Beach on July 4th with some of her 'old' crowd.
Angelo stated, "If this is an indication of 'a new beginning' then look out, for I fear we may soon be looking at another Paris Hilton 'mug shot' if she is not careful. Her behavior sounds more like a return to 'an old life' rather than starting 'a new beginning'.
"It is not wise to state you know God and tell people He has changed you and gave you 'a new beginning', then run out and continue doing the same old foolish things that first got you into trouble. By doing so, you open the door for God to continue to discipline you. Moreover, if necessary, He will bring you 'right back into captivity again' for another round of 'hands-on' chastisement. I see this happen to ex-prisoners each and everyday. See Book of Hebrews 12:7-9
"A study of the Old Testament Israelites reveals judgment came on them each time they turned from God to a rebellious idolatry-worshipping lifestyle. They did this even after God warned He would bring curses and ultimate captivity to them if they disobeyed. Therefore, if you say you know God and chase after idols then do not be surprised when judgment arrives. Today's idols are not only 'graven images' but also anything we use to replace God, including 'sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll'. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2029:25-28;&version=9; [See Book of Deuteronomy 29:25-28
"Paris Hilton should have told her Myspace.com Independence Day website visitors 'not to drink at all', instead she told them 'Happy 4th of July everyone, and remember to be responsible and have a designated driver! Just looking out for you all. I love you'.
"Hilton needs to speak up and tell the truth to her generation of followers that her 'drinking, immoral sex, and abusing illegal drugs was wrong. PERIOD'. She should want to 'flee' as far away as possible from these modern day forms of idolatry before she winds up back in the 'jackpot' again. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:20-22;&version=51; [See Book of Galatians 5:20-22
"However, when someone is in 'denial' and/or does not think of themselves as 'a sinner', what more of a message can one expect? Unfortunately, I feel we have not heard the end of this ongoing Paris Hilton saga.
"Miss Hilton should not continue to 'candy coat', deny, or lie about her lifestyle any longer. There are too many lives at stake for her not to speak out against it. Just look where her rebellious life got her.
"Paris Hilton's 'best thinking' got herself arrested, handcuffed in the backseat of a police squad car, and hauled off to county jail. Even with all her fame, fortune, and glamor she was not immune to the consequences of a sinful life. I am sure she never realized that one day she would have to pay such a big price for 'doing her own thing'.
"Hilton needs to look at the bigger picture and forget about why she feels she was wrongly arrested or if she received a 'raw deal' having to serve her entire jail sentence. She is fortunate she is not dead. God knew better, stepped in, and saved her from self-destructing. He will continue to do this to all of us as we walk through life. There is a reason why God touched Hilton's life. He has a much bigger plan for her 'if' she allows Him to have His way in her life.
"Even if Miss Hilton builds a Taj Mahal for women ex-prisoners, saves a million whales, or runs off to some foreign land to defuse landmines, her 'own self-righteousness' will get her absolutely no where. If she continues her terrible uncontrollable partying behavior, all her good intentions will be for naught. She will eventually wind up back to square one. See Book of Isaiah 64:6
"One thing we all need to remember, including 'Miss Paris Hilton' is: 'You can never fool God'. He is not mocked nor deceived. Whatever you sow, you reap. God knows your every move and is with you each second of the day and night as a loving, forgiving, 'yet' very concerned 'and' correcting spiritual Father." See Book of Galatians 6:6-8
Marty Angelo resides in southern California. Before his conversion to Christianity over 26 years ago, Angelo worked in the entertainment business for 15 years. He is currently a full-time prison minister and the author of the life-changing book, "Once Life Matters: A New Beginning" (ISBN 0961895446, Impact Publishing, 2006)
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Paris Hilton's Jail Sentence Was Too Easy
from pligg.com on Jul 11, 2007
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Prison minister and author Marty Angelo made some very interesting observations regarding socialite Paris Hilton's Los Angeles County Jail incarceration, her interview with CNN's talk show host Larry King, and her post release behavior.
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